Hello, I am new here, but I like what I see! One of my interests is the conservation value of sites that are not strictly parks, but incidentally protect or establish local ecologies by excluding harmful human activities. One example is nuclear power station territory surrounding eg Koeberg, and also its cooling water outlets into the sea. Another is the area around the nuclear waste repository at Vaalputs. I attach (I HOPE!) pictures I took of some delightful little plants in the viciously arid veld of Vaalputs. They may well also occur in the West Coast or Karoo Parks. Certainly some of their close relatives do.

These interest me especially because they share a characteristic that I observed in several families growing there: tiny plants with surprisingly large (though still small) inflorescences.

Incidentally, can anyone identify the tiny blue flower growing next to the Gazania?

In general, it is worth seeing just how many spp. one can see in some such pictures...

I'm hoping that someone will be able to help with IDs on some of the plants that I saw in KTP in February/March 2010. The map/guide book includes a dozen of the most comon plants/trees, which is a big help, but there are many more that I noticed that are not included. Here are a few.

WoW, thanks Michele! (I think that I need to get that book! ) And yes, you've been a HUGE help, because the only flower/plant book that I have is for fynbos. You're at least now giving me a place to start with the googling ... going off to research #1 now

Thanks SO much for your help — and compliments — JB and Caracal. I certainly can empathise with field guide photos that could be "anything" Here are three more of my KTP mystery flowers from March 2010. All help with ID is much appreciated!